Tile flashing

ABSTRACT

In various embodiments, a flashing system may comprise a flashing having a uniform top surface having at least one of a flat profile, an S profile, and a W profile. The flashing system may further include a hook capable of being attached to the decking of a roof and disposed beneath the flashing. The flashing may be customizable by a user in the field to adjust a slot in the flashing to install the flashing on the hook.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/347,156, filed Jun. 8, 2016, theentire content of which is herein incorporated by reference for anypurpose.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to flashing systems for concrete tileroofs.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a flashing system may comprise aflashing having a uniform top surface having at least one of a flatprofile, an S profile, and a W profile. The flashing system may furtherinclude a hook capable of being attached to the decking of a roof anddisposed beneath the flashing. The flashing may be customizable by auser in the field to adjust a slot in the flashing to install theflashing on the hook.

The forgoing features and elements may be combined in variouscombinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated hereinotherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation of thedisclosed embodiments will become more apparent in light of thefollowing description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. Amore complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may bestbe obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims whenconsidered in connection with the drawing figures, wherein like numeralsdenote like elements.

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate various views of a flat tile flashing and hooksystem, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate various views of an “S” tile flashing and hooksystem, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate various views of a “W” tile flashing and hooksystem, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 3E is a process flow describing installation of a tile flashing andhook system, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate various views of a retention clip for use with atile flashing and hook system, in accordance with various embodiments;and

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate various views of a support for used with aflashing and hook system, in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes referenceto the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way ofillustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice theinventions, it should be understood that other embodiments may berealized and that logical, chemical and mechanical changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions. Thus, thedetailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustrationonly and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of themethod or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are notnecessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any referenceto singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more thanone component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also,any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may includepermanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possibleattachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (orsimilar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact.

Concrete tile shingles used in “tile” roofs generally has a flatprofile, an “S” profile or a “W” profile. The tiles can be removed forthe installation of roof mounted objects (e.g., solar panels, snowmanagement systems, heating and cooling equipment, water storageequipment, and/or the like). An installer of the roof mounted object mayrework the removed tile to accommodate mounting hardware for the roofmounted objects. This has traditionally required rework of the tile. Therework can be time consuming and may require protective equipment andspecial equipment, processing, and training. As such, there is a need toreduce the need for rework by an installer.

In various embodiments, the flashings systems described herein areconfigured to provide a water tight installation. The flashing systemsmay be configured to replace portions of a tile roof. The flashingsystems may be used to cover a tile hook. The tile hook may be as amounting point for the roof mounted objects. In this regard, theflashing system is configured to replace roof tiles.

In various embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 1A-1D, flashingsystem 100 may be configured to provide a watertight barrier aroundmounting hardware for a roof mounting hardware. Flashing system 100 maycomprise a flashing 110. Flashing 110 may be installed as part of a tileroof system. For example, flashing 110 may be installed between one ormore roof tiles 103-1 and 103-2.

In various embodiments, flashing system 100 may be mountable to a roofat the roof decking 101 and/or a roof batten 105. For example, flashing110 of flashing system 100 may be attached to roof decking 101 and/orroof batten 105 by one or more fasteners. The fastener may be anysuitable fastener such as, for example, a screw (e.g., screw 130-1,screw 130-2, and/or the like), an adhesive, tape, staples, nails, and/orthe like. Flashing 110 may also be attached, held, or otherwise bemountable to roof decking 101 and/or roof batten 105 by one or more rooftiles 103-1 and 103-2.

Flashing system 100 may be configured to interface with and cover a tilehook 120. More specifically, flashing 110 may include a channel or slot115 that is configured as an interface with tile hook 120. Slot 115 maybe formed in flashing 110 at the time that flashing 110 is manufactured(e.g., the slot 115 may be formed in flashing 110 as part of thestamping operation). Flashing 110 may also be formed onsite by a user ofthe flashing. For example, flashing 110 may be manipulated by a userwith a tool (e.g., pliers, tin snips, and/or the like). A user may alsobe able to customize and/or adjust slot 115. In this regard, the usermay be able to increase or decrease the depth of slot 115 based on theinstallation parameters on the roof where the user is installingflashing. For example, the user may be able to define slot 115 along anypoint in the leading edge (i.e., the down slope edge) of flashing 110 toinsure that tile hook 120 can be properly mounted to roof surface 101(e.g., into a rafter).

In various embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 1A-3D, flashingsystem 100 may be adapted and/or implemented with any style of concreteor ceramic tile roof. For example, flashing system 100 may includeflashing 110 with a flat tile style profile. Flashing system 200 mayinclude a flashing 210 with an “S” tile style profile. Flashing system300 may include a flashing 310 with an “W” tile style profile.

In various embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, flashingsystem 200 may work with tile hook 220 that is installed along anyportion of the leading edge (e.g., the downslope edge) of flashing 210.For example, tile hook 220 may be placed or installed at a peak of the“S” flashing 210 at location A, as shown in FIG. 2A. Tile hook 220 maybe placed or installed at a valley of the “S” flashing 210 at locationB, as shown in FIG. 2B.

In various embodiments, the “S” tile flashing 210 may comprise one ormore surface features. For example, the surface of flashing 210 maycomprise a raised landing 217. That landing may be supported and/orotherwise used as a point of attachment as described herein. The surfaceof flashing 210 may also comprise one or more stiffening ribs 213.

In various embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 3A-3D, flashingsystem 300 may work with tile hook 320 that is installed along anyportion of the leading edge (e.g., the downslope edge) of flashing 310.For example, tile hook 320 may be placed or installed at a peak of the“W” flashing 310 at location A, as shown in FIG. 3A. Tile hook 320 mayalso be placed or installed at a valley of the “W” flashing 310 atlocation B, as shown in FIG. 3B.

In various embodiments and similar to the “S” tile flashing 210, “W”tile flashing 310 may comprise one or more surface features. Forexample, the surface of flashing 310 may comprise a raised landing 317.That landing may be supported and/or otherwise used as a point ofattachment as described herein. The surface of flashing 310 may alsocomprise one or more stiffening ribs 313.

In various embodiments, the tile flashings described herein (e.g.,flashing 110, flashing 210, flashing 310, and/or the like) may beconfigured to interface with any suitable hook structure. In thisregard, the hook may be a tile hook having an “L” profile including, forexample, tile hook 120 as shown in FIG. 1A, tile hook 320-2 as shown inFIG. 3D, and/or the like. The hook may be a tile hook having an “C”profile including, for example, tile hook 220 as shown in FIG. 2A, tilehook 320-1 as shown in FIG. 3A, and/or the like.

In various embodiments, the flashing (e.g., flashing 110, flashing 210,flashing 310, and/or the like) described herein may be modified,adjusted, and/or customized by the user. In this regard, the flashingmay be adapted to work with any suitably shaped or sized hook that isconfigured to mount to a roof and support a structure. The flashing maybe provided by a manufacturer in various user selectable configurations.The flashing may also be field adjustable by a user.

In various embodiments and with reference to FIG. 3E, a method 350 forinstalling a tile flashing may be provided. A roof tile may be removed(Step 352). In response to the roof tile being removed, a user maylocate a rafter on the roof surface (Step 354). The rafter may belocated with a tool or sensor. In this regard, the rafter may be locatedin any suitable fashion. A hook may be fastened to the rafter (Step 356)with any suitable fastener (e.g., a lag bolt, screw, and/or the like). Aflashing may be fit in the space left by removing the roof tile (Step358). An edge of the flashing may be adjusted to allow the hook to passthrough the flashing (Step 360). In this regard, and as discussedherein, the flashing may be customizable by a user in the field toadjust a slot in the flashing to install the flashing on the hook.Moreover, the fitting or adjusting may include cutting a portion of theflashing to create an adjustable flap. A clip may be installed on theflashing (Step 362). The clip may be configured to couple the flashingto an adjacent roof tile.

In various embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, flashing410 of flashing system 400 may be secured to a roof structure by a clip440. Clip 440 may be a separate clip that the user installs betweenflashing 410 and additional roof structure (e.g., the clip may attach toa roof tile that is adjacent flashing 410). In this regard, clip 440 maybe configured to engage, contact, or otherwise interface with a portionof flashing 410 and a portion of the roof structure (e.g., the undersideof a roof tile). Clip 440 may have spring properties. In this regard,clip 440 may be actuatable by a user in the field. Clip 440 may also bedeformable and/or customizable to a user in the field. In this regard,clip 440 may be adjusted to mate with both flashing 410 and roofstructure. Clip 440 may also be integrally formed in flashing 410. Clip440 may be installable on the leading or trailing edge of flashing 410(e.g., the upslope edge or the downslope edge of flashing 410).

In various embodiments, flashing system 500 may comprise a support 550.Support 550 may be installed between flashing 510 and a roof surface501. In this regard, support 550 may be attached to roof surface 501(e.g., roof decking, a roof rafter, a roof batten 505, and/or the like).Support 550 may also be attached to the underside of flashing 510.Support 550 may also be a free floating structure that may be placed atany suitable point where the flashing may be subjected to a load (e.g.,raised portion 517). In various embodiments, support 550 may be anysuitable material, including, for example, wood, metal, Styrofoam,plastic, and/or the like. Moreover, support 550 may be placed at a pointon the flashing to prevent compressive distortion or crushing of theflashing from environmental, user imposed, and/or structural loads(e.g., snow and ice loads, wind load, user load from maintenance of theroof mounted structure, and/or the like).

In various embodiments, the systems described herein may be used withany suitable roof mounted structure including, for example, a solarpanel array or system, an environmental conditioning system (e.g., HVAC,swamp cooler, and/or the like), a water system (e.g., a solar waterheater, a water storage system, and/or the like). The systems may alsobe used with any suitable concrete or ceramic tile system. In thisregard, the systems described herein provide a universal, watertightflashing system for tile style roofs.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, theconnecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein areintended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physicalcouplings between the various elements. It should be noted that manyalternative or additional functional relationships or physicalconnections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits,advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause anybenefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced arenot to be construed as critical, required, or essential features orelements of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is accordinglyto be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in whichreference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one andonly one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.”Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is usedin the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to meanthat A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present inan embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that anycombination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a singleembodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detaileddescription herein, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”,“various embodiments”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described mayinclude a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but everyembodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed. After reading the description, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure inalternative embodiments.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the presentdisclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless ofwhether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited inthe claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under theprovisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f), unless the element is expressly recitedusing the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises”,“comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover anon-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only thoseelements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherentto such process, method, article, or apparatus.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flashing system, comprising; flashing having auniform top surface having at least one of a flat profile, an S profile,and a W profile, and; a hook capable of being attached to the decking ofa roof and disposed beneath the flashing, wherein the flashing iscustomizable by a user in the field to adjust a slot in the flashing toinstall the flashing on the hook.
 2. The flashing system of claim 1,wherein the hook has at least on of an L profile or a C profile.
 3. Theflashing system of claim 1, wherein there is no predefined aperturethrough the flashing.
 4. A method, comprising: removing a roof tile;locating a rafter on the roof surface; fastening a hook to the rafter;fitting a flashing in the space left by removing the roof tile; andadjusting an edge of the flashing to allow the hook to pass through theflashing.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising installing a clipon the flashing.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the clip isconfigured to couple the flashing to an adjacent roof tile.
 7. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the flashing is customizable by a user in thefield to adjust a slot in the flashing to install the flashing on thehook.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the fitting includes cutting aportion of the flashing to create an adjustable flap.